Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has declared British military bases hosting American forces — and even the Royal Family — “legitimate targets”, prompting an immediate vow from London that it stands “ready 24/7 to defend itself”.
The warning, published on the IRGC-linked Tasnim News Agency on 23 July, claimed that US bombing missions had been launched from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire two days earlier. The UK Ministry of Defence has not commented on whether the base was used this week, but the government confirmed that permission was granted in March for the US to use British bases, including RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, to target Iranian military infrastructure.
“Iran threatens UK bases and Royal Family as 'legitimate targets'; Britain says armed forces ready 24/7.”
That policy, set under former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, has not been altered by new Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who was notified last week that the agreement with the US had been extended. The UK has allowed “defensive” American operations from its soil while refusing to cooperate in offensive strikes against Iran.
Iran’s foreign ministry branded the UK an “accomplice” in what it called the US war, and the IRGC said any country supporting the US militarily “will be responsible for the consequences and repercussions”. The threats came on the 12th consecutive night of US strikes against targets in Iran.
Responding to the Iranian threats, a UK government spokesperson said: “Our Armed Forces are ready to keep the United Kingdom safe from any kind of attacks, whether it’s on our soil or from abroad. The UK stands ready 24/7 to defend itself. This includes through operating a layered approach to air and missile defence, provided by Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force assets equipped with a range of advanced capabilities, working closely with our Nato allies. The UK’s approach to the conflict remains the same - we are committed to defending our people, our interests and our allies, acting in accordance with international law and not getting drawn into the wider conflict.”
The rhetoric echoes Iran’s earlier warnings. Days after the war began on 28 February, Iran’s ambassador to London, Seyed Ali Mousavi, said Tehran would have the “right to self-defence” if the UK joined the war, urging Britain to be “very careful”. On 19 March, Iran fired two ballistic missiles at the UK’s Diego Garcia base in the Chagos Islands; one reportedly failed mid-flight, and the other struck the base.
Despite President Donald Trump’s repeated criticism of the UK for what he deemed a lack of support for his war, Iran’s latest comments sought to paint Britain as a direct party to the campaign. With the US continuing airstrikes and Iran vowing retaliation, the standoff leaves British bases — and potentially the monarchy — in the crosshairs.